Study information

Current Global Issues

Module titleCurrent Global Issues
Module codeINT0053
Academic year2025/6
Credits30
Module staff

Felicia Anne Heard (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

10

10

10

Number students taking module (anticipated)

200

Module description

A two-semester compulsory module, Current Global Issues introduces key concepts and skills relevant to students wishing to study a wide range of disciplines. In the first semester, weekly lectures consider a broad range of current global issues, including (for example) Education, Crime, Capitalism (Genetic engineering – Bioethics), Inequality and Poverty, Environmental Issues, Pandemics, Health and Beauty and Artificial Intelligence. 

The second semester research project involves the creation of a group artefact and supporting portfolios (i.e., Group and Individual Portfolios) of work. The project is an extension of concepts and events introduced in semester one. Elements of the project assess critical thinking, self-evaluative, group-working and research skills, and the planning, creation, and presentation of an artefact (i.e., Exhibition of Artefacts) which may be creative (e.g., designing and creating a 3D model/website, editing videos/podcasts/documentaries/short films/magazines/newspapers/pamphlets) or academic (e.g., academic poster) in nature.

Module aims - intentions of the module

  1. To introduce an inter-disciplinary exploration of key concepts of cultural relevance in today’s world. 
  2. To design, plan and complete a group project (including an artefact) applying organisational strategies to achieve agreed objectives.
  3. To explore key concepts of cultural reference on a global scale in an inter-disciplinary manner.
  4. To work with a small team of peers in designing and making an artefact for a public exhibition, applying organisational strategies to achieve agreed objectives.
  5. To evaluate artefact outcomes and reflect on their own learning and development during the production period. 

 

By achieving 1 – 5 above, this module could provide students with skills (i.e., transferrable skills) relevant to an undergraduate degree programme in a range of disciplines.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate understanding of issues and concepts relevant to chosen topic.
  • 2. Identify, design, plan and complete a group project and achieve agreed objectives in a timely fashion.
  • 3. Employ appropriate skills/technology/materials to create a group-produced artefact.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Develop an ability to research a topic, extract and synthesise information from a range of sources to further identify, and engage with, key issues within the module’s themes.
  • 5. Demonstrate an ability to analyse and critically evaluate texts and other forms of information.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. With tutor support, take responsibility for your own learning and work independently.
  • 7. Work co-operatively and effectively in a group.
  • 8. Evaluate outcomes in relation to agreed objectives and to own learning, research, and performance
  • 9. Communicate effectively in a format appropriate to this discipline.

Syllabus plan

 

A two-semester module for all Foundation students, in the first semester, weekly lectures introduce and explore themes of broad interest and application such as Education, Crime, Capitalism, Poverty, Environmental Issues, Pandemics, Health and Beauty and Artificial Intelligence. 

This module features a range of study methods which typically include lectures, workshops, seminars, and self-study. Seminars ensure that key lecture concepts are understood and offer opportunities to discuss lecture content, text extracts and case studies. The course will enable you to

  • understand key terms, ideas, and concepts related to the subject of study
  • engage with a number of disciplines of study 
  • distinguish between fact and opinion, between what is relevant and what is not, and between opposing views based upon conflicting evidence
  • broaden your general knowledge and practice critical, analytical skills
  • extract and synthesise information and formulate a response
  • practise the skills of independent learning, and time management

 

 

Topics typically include:

  • Education
  • Crime
  • Capitalism
  • Inequality and Poverty
  • Environmental Issues
  • Pandemics
  • Health and Beauty
  • Artificial Intelligence

 

The second semester develops and assesses your ability to create a group artefact. The artefact will connect to concepts or topics studied in semester one. Aside from the artefact, supporting documentation will include an individual Research Review offering an evidence-based discussion of the concepts and critical context which influenced the artefact, an individual Portfolio, including a Project Log, drafts of written work, a Reflective Statement, Response Paper and a Group Portfolio (sketches, ideas, and a complete group bibliography depicting how the artefact evolved and its artistic/critical context). 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
100200

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Lectures, Seminars, Tutorials100Pre-recorded lectures and seminars, and specified hours of online self-learning (i.e., asynchronous lessons). Group seminars. Individual and group tutorials.
Guided Independent Study200Lecture preparation, research for coursework and research project and completion of research artefact.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Formative Research Review 400 words 1, 4, 5, 9Written and/or spoken feedback
Semester 1 Draft Group Project Proposal Semester 2 Final Group Project ProposalNon-assessed: approved/resubmission Written and/or spoken feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
100

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Individual Portfolio30Reflective statement (600 words) + Peer evaluation 6, 8, 9 Written feedback
Summative research review 20800 words 1, 4, 5, 9 Written feedback
Group artefact and portfolio 50Artefact, and supporting documentation 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Group Artefact and Portfolio Viva1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 ASAP and before pre-APAC

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of re-assessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs, there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.   

 

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e., a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to attend a viva. A grade of 40% will be awarded if this assessment is passed. Referral assessments will assess ILOs (and therefore skills, knowledge and understanding)from across the module. 

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading: 

 

  • Genetic engineering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IsQ92KiBwM 

 

Web-based and electronic resources:  

 

  • ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages 

Key words search

Current Global Issues, Current Issues, Global Issues

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

N/A

Module co-requisites

N/A

NQF level (module)

3

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

21/10/2020

Last revision date

22/05/2025